Security Officials Draw a Red Line on Full Withdrawal in Southern Lebanon

Israeli security officials said on Friday that a full withdrawal in southern Lebanon is not under consideration, even as the ceasefire holds. They described this as a “red line” and criticized the political leadership, arguing that Israel should have entered negotiations much earlier, when its military gains were at their peak.

According to the officials, Israel could have secured better terms then than it can now, when, in their words, Iran is “managing the event.” One official told News 12 that Israel cannot be allowed to have its “hands tied” and must strike back. “We learned that the best defense is offense,” the source said.

The same official said restricting military activity hurts operational freedom. “If you are not allowed to attack beyond the yellow line, you are bound,” he said, adding that from their perspective, “full withdrawal is not on the table.”

He also warned that Israel cannot accept the current reality or threats to its security. “We must not accept Iranian equations in Lebanon,” he said. “Tomorrow morning it will happen in Gaza, and after that in Judea and Samaria. We cannot accept that.”